Are Dental Implants Worth the Cost?
Dental implants are an alternative to bridges and dentures. But are they worth the treatment and cost?
Photo credits from Peter Kasprzyk
Millions of people around the world have or are developing dental problems. Luckily, medicine and scientific advancements we have today can treat most of these diseases and conditions. While a few of them are affordable and available in most drugstores, some are relatively expensive and require a few visits to the dentist.
One example is dental implants for missing teeth. When your teeth are damaged beyond repair, they have to be taken out to treat the pain while preventing the decay from spreading to neighboring teeth. Dental implants require surgery and other processes before you can have a full set of healthy-looking teeth, but are these really worth the cost?
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial replacement roots for your teeth. If bridges rely on neighboring teeth and dentures are temporary, implants are surgically placed in your jawbone beneath the gums so that replacement teeth may be permanently added.
Implants are made of titanium, making them very strong and difficult to dissolve or damage compared to regular roots. It is more stable than dentures and does not depend on other teeth for stability.
How Much Are Dental Implants in Canada?
The price may vary between dental practices, but most dental implants in Canada would cost around $1,000 up to $3,000. This includes the dentist’s surgical fees, the dental crown, x-ray, tooth extraction, and sedation. This is only for one missing tooth; the price may be higher if you need more than one dental implant.
Photo credits from Hermes Rivera
The reason for the wide price difference may depend on the quality of the implant. Some dental offices use lower quality implants to reduce the cost, at the detriment of the patient in the long run. However, some dentists offer surgical placement as low as $900 so that it is more affordable for their patient.
Because of these requirements, dental implants are one of the more expensive methods, compared to affordable dentures or bridges. Some insurance companies cover implants, but usually only a percentage of the total expenses.
What Are the Steps to Having Dental Implants?
Ideally, you should have healthy gums and the right bone structure so that your dentist and add implants sooner. Having these two means you have the right foundation for your dentist to begin inserting dental implants because it can properly support the titanium once it is in. If not, your dentist may require an additional bone graft or sinus lift, which could cost extra. Your dentist may also monitor your oral habits and require more frequent dental visits to see if you are keeping your gums healthy.
After the dentists insert implants, healthy oral hygiene is necessary for the implants to stay put in the long run.
Photo credits from Johnoaz
Before inserting dental implants, your dentist must get laboratory tests done to see if it is absolutely necessary. First, they will take an x-ray to see if your jaw is capable of holding dental implants or if it will require added grafts. Next, they may need to extract teeth and roots that will affect the dental implant. To save on dental fees, implants can be added immediately after the tooth extraction. Both these processes will add to the total cost of implants.
What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
Though they are expensive, dental implants provide plenty of benefits that bridges and dentures cannot. Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, so you won’t have to adjust to the feeling or feel uncomfortable with fittings like bridges or dentures. They won’t move when you eat, though it is recommended you don’t constantly chew on hard food.
Photo credits from Lesly Juarez
Outside of eating, having a full set of teeth can prevent you from slurring, mumbling, or speaking with a lisp. People with dentures may feel like their teeth can slip out when they speak, but people with dental implants don’t have the same problem.
Dental implants are made with titanium, so they are durable enough to withstand normal wear and tear. When taken care of correctly, they can last a lifetime. They are more convenient than temporary dentures which may break with the constant adhesive and pulling apart.
Do Dental Implants Require Aftercare?
As mentioned earlier, dental implants require healthy gums and the right bone structure. This will also be necessary after surgery so that the implants are secure and function for a long time. After surgery, you’ll be expected to practice good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing daily. You may need to cut hard food from your diet such as hard candies, or you can try softening them (like boiling carrots until they’re softer) to avoid breaking down the crown.
Photo credits from William Warby
Having implants also means you have to give up smoking, as it has been known to contribute to implant failure and can damage your implants early. To ensure your implants are not damaged, you need to visit your dentist more often. If the six-month rule of dental check-up was a recommendation before, it is now necessary if you want to maintain your implant’s condition.
Dental implants are one of the more expensive dental treatments in Canada. But if you want the benefits of a complete set of teeth without the disadvantages of temporary alternatives, then consult with a dentist about getting implants.
This article has been written by Micah Andres.
(Micah Andres has been writing content for marketing and creative purposes for over 10 years. He has worked on numerous projects for local and international clients and has written copies for both traditional and digital media. When he isn’t wearing his corporate hat, he performs stand-up comedy both locally and abroad, and has won comedy competitions in the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.)
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